Maximize gaming FPS, optimize external displays, and extend battery life on macOS! 🚀

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🎮 Advanced Gaming Performance Tweaks

1. Unlock Max CPU & GPU Power for Gaming

By default, macOS balances power efficiency over performance. These tweaks prioritize speed:

A. Enable High Performance Mode (For M1/M2/M3 MacBooks)

  • System Settings > Battery > Energy Mode > High Performance

B. Disable CPU Power Throttling (Intel Macs Only)

  • Enter this command in Terminal (removes power limits): cssCopyEditsudo pmset -b dps 0
  • This prevents macOS from underclocking the CPU when gaming on battery.

C. Set CPU Performance to Turbo Mode (Intel Macs)

  • Run this Terminal command: javascriptCopyEditsudo sysctl -w hw.ncpu=$(sysctl -n hw.physicalcpu)
  • This forces macOS to use all CPU cores at full power.

2. Increase FPS by Overriding Metal/Graphics Settings

A. Unlock More VRAM for Gaming (Intel & Apple Silicon Macs)

  • Open Terminal and enter: arduinoCopyEditdefaults write -g MetalForceHighPerformanceGPU -bool true
    • Forces macOS to always use the dedicated GPU for rendering.
    • Works on MacBook Pro (M1 Max/M2 Max), iMac, and Intel Macs with Radeon GPUs.

B. Optimize OpenGL Performance (For Older Mac Games)

  • If a game only supports OpenGL, use this command: arduinoCopyEditdefaults write com.apple.opengl AllowSpriteBatching -bool true
  • This reduces OpenGL draw calls, improving FPS in older games.

C. Disable “Dynamic Resolution Scaling” (For Steam & Epic Games)

  • System Settings > Displays > Resolution > Set Native Resolution
  • Many Mac games auto-adjust resolution for performance, but forcing native resolution with a lower in-game render scale works better.
    • Example: Set macOS resolution to 1440p, then lower in-game settings to 75% render scale.

3. Reduce Input Lag & Boost Controller Response Time

A. Reduce Keyboard & Mouse Latency

  • Run these commands to increase response speed: arduinoCopyEditdefaults write -g InitialKeyRepeat -int 10 defaults write -g KeyRepeat -int 1
  • Makes WASD movement feel snappier in FPS games.

B. Enable Bluetooth Low Latency Mode for Controllers

  • System Settings > Bluetooth > Click Your Controller > Low Latency Mode ON
  • Reduces input delay for PS5/Xbox controllers.

C. Disable V-Sync for Competitive Gaming (Reduces Input Lag)

  • Use Steam Launch Options for games like CSGO or Dota 2: diffCopyEdit-novid -high -nojoy -nod3d9ex -tickrate 128 -threads 4
  • This removes menu lag and forces 128-tick servers.

4. Optimize Cooling for Maximum FPS

A. Control Fan Speed to Prevent Thermal Throttling

  • Macs Fan Control (Download Here) lets you manually set fans to higher speeds before gaming.
    • Helps Intel Macs and M1/M2 MacBooks stay cooler, preventing FPS drops.

B. Undervolt Intel CPUs to Reduce Heat (For MacBooks with Intel CPUs)

  • Use Volta (Download Here)
  • Reduces power draw by -80mV, which lowers heat and prevents FPS drops from overheating.

🖥 External Display: Max Performance & Color Accuracy

1. Force 120Hz Refresh Rate on External Monitors

  • If your Mac doesn’t let you choose 120Hz, force it with this: arduinoCopyEditdefaults write -g com.apple.windowserver AllowProMotion 1
    • Works on Apple Studio Display, Pro Display XDR, and some gaming monitors.

2. Reduce Latency on External Displays (For Gaming Monitors)

  • Use DisplayPort instead of HDMI
    • HDMI adds extra lag unless using HDMI 2.1.
  • Set response time to “Fast” in your monitor’s settings (if available).

3. Use BetterDisplay App to Enable HiDPI Scaling

  • Download: BetterDisplay
  • It forces macOS to use Retina-style scaling, making text sharper on non-Apple monitors.

🔋 Advanced Battery Tweaks (For Maximum Life & Efficiency)

1. Control Battery Charging for Longevity

  • Use AlDente (Download Here)
    • Stops charging at 80% to extend battery lifespan.
    • Essential for MacBook users who game while plugged in.

2. Limit Background Services Draining Power

Run this Terminal command to disable unnecessary processes:

swiftCopyEditlaunchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.PhotoAnalysisDaemon.plist
launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.AOSPushRelay.plist
  • Stops photo indexing and iCloud sync when not needed, saving CPU cycles.

3. Enable “Deep Sleep” Mode for Better Battery Life

  • By default, MacBooks use Power Nap, which drains battery in sleep mode.
  • Run this command to force true sleep mode: cssCopyEditsudo pmset -b powernap 0 sudo pmset -b standbydelaylow 60 sudo pmset -b sleep 10
  • This puts your Mac into hibernation faster, saving battery overnight.

🚀 Extra Power User Tricks

1. Reduce Finder’s CPU Usage (For More Gaming Power)

  • Disable Finder preview thumbnails, which use GPU/CPU in the background: arduinoCopyEditdefaults write com.apple.finder QLInlinePreviewMinimumSupportedSize -int 512
  • Restart Finder: nginxCopyEditkillall Finder

2. Use Terminal to Monitor FPS in Real Time

  • Open Terminal and enter: perlCopyEditsudo powermetrics --samplers smc | grep -i "GPU"
  • Shows live GPU usage & FPS performance for your game.

3. Free Up RAM Before Launching a Heavy Game

  • Run: nginxCopyEditsudo purge
  • Clears cached RAM, freeing up memory for smoother gaming.

🔥 Final Setup for Maximum FPS & Performance

✅ Enable High Performance Mode (M1/M2 MacBooks)
✅ Force Dedicated GPU Usage (Intel/Radeon Macs)
✅ Adjust Refresh Rate & Scaling (External Monitors)
✅ Use Macs Fan Control (To Prevent FPS Drops)
✅ Use AlDente (For Battery Longevity)
✅ Reduce Background Tasks & Services

Mac

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